Study of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Intervening Vascular Remodeling after Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Interventional therapy of coronary heart disease (CHD) includes percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), stent implantation etc. Owing to its revascularization without cardiac surgery, it has been the main effective method in treating CHD. But at the same time, there exists the problem of restenosis (RS). After PTCA, RS

Long Term Clinical and Angiographic Outcome Following Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Stent Placement for Iliac and Femoral Artery Stenosis

Objective This study reportsthe initial and late results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and intravascular stenting for atherosclerotic stenosis of the iliac and femoral arteries. Methods and Results From December 1994 to March 1997, we performed iliac and femoral artery angioplasty and primary intravascular stent placement in 37 vessel of 33 patients (19 men and 14 women; mean age, 70. 5 years). A total of 43 self - expanding Wallstents (Boston, Inc. ) were deployed. All patients underwent angioplasty and stent placement successfully. Clinical follow - up was available for all patients at a mean of 26±14months. All patient clinical is-chemic category (claudication or rest pain) was improved. Angiographic follow - up was completed for 17 of 23 patients at a mean follow-up of 10±5 months, The iliac artery restenosis rate was 0(0/8). The femoral artery restenosis rate was 33 % (3/9), All 3 patients underwent repeat balloon angioplasty successfully. Conclusion The iliac and femoral arteries can be performed and reasonable early and late patency rates.

Self-management of coronary heart disease in older patients after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Objective To explore how older patients self-manage their coronary heart disease （CHD） aider undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty （PTCA）. Methods This mixed methods study used a sequential, explanatory design and recruited a convenience sample of patients （n = 93） approximately three months after elective PTCA. The study was conducted in two phases. Quantitative data collected in Phase 1 by means of a self-administered survey were subject to univariate and bivariate analysis. Phase 1 findings in- formed the purposive samplhag for Phase 2 where ten participants were selected from the original sample for an in-depth interview. Qualita- tive data were analysed using thematic analysis. This paper will primarily report the findings from a sub-group of older participants （n = 47） classified as 65 years of age or older. Results 78.7% （n = 37） of participants indicated that they would manage recurring angina symptoms by taking glyceryl trinitrate and 34% （n = 16） thought that resting would help. Regardless of the duration or severity of the symptoms 40.5% （n = 19） would call their general practitioner or an emergency ambulance for assistance during any recurrence of angina symptoms. Older participants weighed less （P = 0.02） and smoked less （P = 0.01） than their younger counterparts in the study. Age did not seem to affect PTCA patients＇ likelihood of altering dietary factors such as fruit, vegetable and saturated fat consumption （P = 0.237）. Conclusions The findings suggest that older people in the study were less likely to know how to correctly manage any recurring angina symptoms than their younger counterparts but they had fewer risk factors for CHD. Age was not a factor that influenced participants＇ likelihood to alter lifestyle factors.

Response of blood pressure after percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty and stenting

AIM: To evaluate the short and intermediate term out-come of percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty (PTRA) and stenting particularly on blood pressure (BP) control and renal function and to evaluate predictors of poor BP response after successful PTRA and stenting. METHODS: We conducted a prospective analysis of all patients who underwent PTRA and stenting in our institute between August 2010 to September 2012. A total number of 86 patients were underwent PTRA and renal stenting. Selective angiography was done to confirm at least 70% angiographic stenosis. The predilatation done except few cases with critical stenosis, direct stenting was done in the rest of cases. All patients received aspirin 325 mg orally, and clopidogrel 300 mg orally within 24 h before the procedure. Heparin was used as the procedural anticoagulant agent. Optimal results with TIMI-Ⅲ flow obtained in all cases. Following stent placement, aspirin 150 mg orally once daily was continued for a minimum of 12 mo and clopidogrel 75 mg orally once daily for at least 4 wk. The clinical, radiological, electrocardiography, echocardiography and treatment data of all patients were recorded. The BP measurement, serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were recorded before the procedure and 1 and 6 mo after PTRA. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were included in the study. The mean age of study population was 55.87±11.85 years old and 67 (77.9%) of patients were male. There was a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic BP at 1 mo after the procedure: 170.15±20.10 mmHg vs 146.60±17.32 mmHg and 98.38±10.55 mmHg vs 89.88±9.22 mmHg respectively (P=0.0000). The reduction in BP was constant throughout the follow-up period and was evident 6 mo after the procedure: 144.23±18.19 and 88.26±9.79 mmHg respectively (P=0.0000). However, no improvement in renal function was observed at any time during the follow-up period. After multivariate analysis, we found male sex, low GFR (<60 mL/min) and higher baseline mean BP as a poor predictors of successful outcome on BP response after PTRA and stenting. CONCLUSION: The PTRA and stenting can be considered as an effective therapeutic intervention for improving BP control with minimal effect on renal function. The male sex, higher baseline BP and low GFR are associated with poor BP response after successful PTRA and stenting.

Clinico-Angiographic Profile and Prevalence of Restenosis in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty to Left Main Coronary Artery: An Observational Cohort Study

Background: Patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in left main coronary artery (LMCA) requires special concern, being high risk and increasing patient population. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical profile, angiographic status, and prevalence of restenosis in patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in LMCA. Materials and Methods: This observational cohort study included 17 patients who underwent PTCA in LMCA during one-year study period at tertiary care centers in Government Medical College, Kozhikode, India. Data including various risk factors, clinical and angiographic details, stent used, procedural complications and outcomes including rate of restenosis were analyzed. Results: A total of 17 patients (mean age 53.88 ± 9.80 years) with 76.47% of males were included in the study. Smoking and hypertension were the most common risk factors presented in 52.94% and 47.06% of patients respectively. Single vessel disease (SVD) of LMCA was the most common pattern observed in 47.10%;the rate of restenosis was observed in 11.76% patients. Revascularization was performed in one patient (5.88%) with coronary artery bypass graft and in one patient (5.88%) with PTCA using drug eluting stent (DES). The overall procedural success was 88.24% in this study. Survival rate was 100% at one-year follow-up period. Conclusion: Our study involved patients who underwent PTCA in LMCA, showed smoking as a most prevalent risk factor for coronary artery disease and SVD as a most common pattern, comparatively low rate of restenosis and 100% of survival rate at one-year follow-up period.

Amiodarone-induced bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in patient following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Background: Many patients are affected by idiopathicbronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). There are several known causes of BOOP, and several systemic disorders have BOOP as an associated primary pulmonary lesion. Numerous agents including cytotoxic and noncytotoxic drugs have the potential to cause pulmonary toxicity. Descriptions of amiodarone-related BOOP continue to be reported throughout the world. Case Report: We reported a patient with original clinical presentation who developed recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia (SVT) despite the presence of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), hypoxaemia and interstitial pneumonitis in both lung bases. After percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, he developed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Conclusions: To our knowledge, such complications after percutaneous coronary procedure in patients with amiodarone therapy for arrhythmia prophylaxis, are not very frequent in literature.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Percutoneous transiuminal coronary anginplesty(PTCA)was performed in33 patients of coronary heart diseases(male 30 cases,female 3 cases, meanage 54.2) with Gruentzig’s method.Of all the 33 patients,there were 26narrow parts in 20 cases of the single branch lesions,27 narrow parts in 11cases of the double branch lesions and 11 narrow parts in 2 cases of thethree branch lesions.In 48 branches with lesion vessels,there were 27branches of the left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD),7 branchesof the left cicumflex coronary arteries(LCX)and 13 branches of the rightcoronaw arteries.The narrow degrees varied from 75% to 100%. The resultswere that,of 33 patients,48 branches of lesion vessels and 64 narrow parts,the successful rates of dilation were 96.9%,87.5%,85.9%,respectively.Ventricular fibrillation occurred in one case during the procedure,whichsoon recovered sinus rhythm through cardioversion.Symptoms of thesuccessful 32 patients were lmproved obviously or diappeared after PATC.Combining with the documents,we think that the successful rates are higherin type A lesion undergoing PTCA.When PTCA for the multiple branchlesions are performed,we ought to master the principle of dilating the mainlessinos in advence.The long-tube lesions were dilated by the long balloonfitting for these lesions.The causes of failure of PTCA in the severe narrowlesions are mainly the the guilding wires or the balloon catheters cann’t passthrough the lesion parts,in addition,the complication problems in PTCA arealso discussed.

CHANGES AND SIGNIFICATION OF SERUM CPK BEFORE AND AFTER PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASES

To study the damage effect of percutaneous transfuminalcoronary angioplasty(PTCA)on myocardium,wedetermined the serum CPK and CPK-MB level in 35 casesof patients with coronary henrt disease(CHD)beforePTCA and at 6th,12th,24th hour,2nd,3rd day afterPTCA.The results showed that after PTCA,the serumCPK and CPK-MB in 21 of 35 case of patients wised at12th hour.2nd day reached the peak level.But comparedwith others,it has no significant different(P】0.05).TheCPK and CPK-MB decreased to normal level at 3rd day.Itis suggested that PTCA has no significant damage effect onmyocardium.

Clinical Application of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Stent Implantation in Acute Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis

Purpose: To analyze the application of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting in acute deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities. Methods: 70 patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting. Results: The mean circumferential diameter difference between the affected limbs and the healthy limbs and the knees at 15 cm was statistically significant. The cure rate and effective rate of the research group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting are of high value in acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.

COMPLEX PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Percutancous transluminal coronary angioplasty was pcrfonned in 70patients with high risk characteristics from Jan.1998 toDcc.1997 These factors include age】70(10patients),unstableangina(35patients),ejection fraction【40%(7 patients),multivesseldisease(50patients).There were 96 lesions(79 vessels)dilated,amongthem type Alesion 15,type B lesion 52,type C lesion 29.Autoperfusion balloon was used in 7 patients, coronary stcnl wasimplantcd in 50 paticnts.One patient undcrgoing directional coronaryathrectomy(DCA).The clinical success rate was 91.5% and lesionsuccess rate was 89.6%.Average predilation stenosis was 89.5+8.2%and average postdilation stenosis was 16.9+6.2%.Two patients diedfrom abrupt vessel closureno acule myocardial infarction andemergency coronary bypass operation.The considerations in selectionand management of these high risk patients were discussed. The resultsshowed that PTCA can be performed safely in the complex cases.

Application of GlycoProtein IIb/IIIa antagonist( Integrilin) in peri-percutaneous transluminal catheter angioplasty and stent implantation in Chinese

Objective: to report the application of GPIIb/IIIa antagonist (Integrilin) in peri percutaneous transluminal catheter angioplasty and stent implantation in Chinese. Method: Twenty one patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal catheter angioplasty(PTCA) and stent implantation were included. After arterial puncture, integrilin was injected at dose of 180ug/kg, and then maintained at 2μg/kg·min for 18 hours. Asprine, plavix(clopidogrel) and heparin were used at the same time. ACT, PT, KPTT and blood routine were routinely monitored. Results: All sheaths were drawn out 2 to 4 hours after the procedure.. There was no severe complication such as hematoma, acute and subacute thrombosis in coronary artery, or thrombocytopenia. ACT returned to less than 150 seconds in 2 hours in 15 patients; in 4 hours in 6 patients. There was no significant difference between the pre and post procedure value of PT and platelet count. KPTT was significantly higher than pre procedure value at 2 hours after the procedure .No recurrence of angina pectoris was observed in the first nine patients within one year follow up, and no restenosis occurred in stents in the five patients who had coronary angiography one year later. Conclusion: Application of GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist (Integrilin) in peri percutaneous transluminal catheter angioplasty and stent implantation in combination with aspirin and plavix could significantly reduce the dosage and duration of heparin with benefit of shortening the indwelling time of sheaths, but did not increase risk of bleeding or lead to thrombosis in stent.

PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY FOR COMPLICATED CORONARY ARTERY LESIONS

Objective To research the effect of percutaneous transluminalcoronary angioplasty (PTCA) on treating complicated artery lesions.Methods Type B or type C of complicated coronary artery lesionswere confirmed by selective coronary angingraphy in 16 cases with coronaryheart disease.Gruentzig’s method was used in carring out PTCA.Results Fifteen of sixteen and thirty-two of thirty-five parts ofcoronary artery lesions were dilated successfully,the success rate was 93.7%and 88.5%,respectively.In failed four parts of PTCA,three parts werebecause of the guilding wire or the balloon failed to pass the narrow arterythrough,the other one was unable to be performed for the occurrencedsevere arrthymia during the procedure.Four stents were implantend foracute accident.Symptoms of the successful cases were improved ordisappeared after PTCA.Conclusion PTCA is also fit in treating complicated coronary arterylesions and has a better therapeutic effect,but it has more complications andrun more risks relatively.

Retrospective analysis of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary stenting

Objective To examine long term efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA),coronary stenting and to assess the factors affecting its efficacy Methods A total of 790 patients who underwent successful PTCA and PTCA+stent in this hospital were followed by direct interview or letter The rate of follow up was 84 2% and the period of follow up was 0 9-12 7 (3 5±2 4) years Results During follow up, 4 (0 5%) patients died, 22 (2 8%) had nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, 10 (1 3%) had coronary artery bypass surgery, and 98 (12 4%) had repeat PTCA The rate of recurrent angina pectoris was 31 1% The cardiac event free survival rate calculated by the Kaplan Meier method was 88 2% at 1 year and 80 6% at 12 7 years Cox regression analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between AMI history, stent implantation and the risk of cardiac events, and there was a negative correlation between the number of diseased arteries and the risk of cardiac events Compared to the PTCA group, patients with PTCA+stent had significantly lower rates of total cardiac events Conclusion The long term efficacy of PTCA, especially PTCA + stent in Chinese patients was very satisfactory, suggesting that PTCA+stent therapy should be the major treatment for revascularization in patients with coronary heart disease

Timely reperfusion for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction:Effect of direct transfer to primary angioplasty on time delays and clinical outcomes

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI) is the preferred reperfusion therapy for patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) when it can be performed expeditiously and by experienced operators. In spite of excellent clinical results this technique is associated with longer delays than thrombolysis and this fact may nullify the benefit of selecting this therapeutic option. Several strategies have been proposed to decrease the temporal delays to deliver PPCI. Among them,prehospital diagnosis and direct transfer to the cath lab,by-passing the emergency department of hospitals,has emerged as anattractive way of diminishing delays. The purpose of this review is to address the effect of direct transfer on time delays and clinical events of patients with STEMI treated by PPCI.

EXPERIMENTAL WORK AND RESEAROHThe Experimental Study of Xue Guan Tong (血管通)on Preventing Restenosis after Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

The effect of Xue Guen Tong (XGT) granule in preveriting restenosis of atherosclerotic iliacartery after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in rabbits was studied. Forty-two purebred NewZealand rabbits with their endothelium of iliac arteries denuded and fed with high cholesterol diet for sixweeks to form the model of atheresclerotic stenosis. After PTA, the high cholesterol diet was stopped imme-diately and they were divided into 3 groups randomly. the XGT group, the lovastatin group and the controlgroup. Arterial angiogreph and pathological observation were carried out 4 weeks after PTA. The resultesbewed that ( 1 ) The luminal diameter of artery was 1 . 82 0. 46mm in the XGT group, 0 . 96 0. 71mm in thelovastetin grcxjp and 0. 71 0 . 53mm in the control group. The former one was larger than the latter two sig-nificantly ( P< 0. 01 ) . (2) Thickness of intima of artery was 0 . 27 0 . 40mm in the XGT group, it was thinnerthan those in the other two groups (O. 43 0. 04mm in the lovastatin group arid 0. 48 0. 10mm in the controlgroup) . (3) In XGT group, the smooth muscle cells ( SMCs) contained fewer organelles. more muscular fibersand were well differentiated than in the other two groups. The conclusion was XGT has the preventive effecton past-PTA arterial restenosis in rabbits.

Safety and efficacy of dalteparin in percutaneous coronary intervention in Chinese patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary artery syndromes： comparison with unfractionated heparin

Objective To prospectively evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy ofdalteparin in patients with high risk non-ST- elevation acute coronary syndromes （ACS） during percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. Methods A total of 175 patients with high risk non-ST-elevation ACS were randomly assigned to 2 groups [dalteparin group and unfractionated heparin （UFH） group]. The patients in dalteparin group were given dalteparin at a dose of 5,000U subcutaneously soon after diagnosis and then an additional 60U/ kg intravenous bolus ofdalteparin before emergent PCI. Vascular access sheaths were removed immediately after PCI or coronary artery angiography; the patients in UFH group were given UFH intravenously at a dose of 25mg just before PCI and an additional 65mg bolus was administered if angiographic findings showed that the patients were suitable for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty （PTCA）. Sheaths were removed at 4-6 hours after PCI; Results Eighty-three patients in dalteparin group underwent PCI while 82 patients in UFH group underwent PCI; anti-Xa activities of 52 patients in daltepafin group were measured. The average anti-Xa activity was （0. 83± 0.26） U/ml at 15 minutes after intravenous injection of dalteparin and anti-Xa〉0.SU/ml was obtained in 96.1% of the patients; hematomas at puncture sites were significantly fewer in dalteparin group as compared with UFH group （2.3% vs 9.2%, P 〈 0.05）; none of the patients in 2 groups suffered major bleeding events. No death, acute arterial reocclusion or emergent revascularization events occurred at 30 days after PCI. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that early subcutaneous injection ofdalteparin at a dose 5,000U after diagnosis and an additional 60U/kg intravenous bolus ofdalteparin before PCI is safe and efficacious for patients with high risk non-ST-elevation ACS undergoing emergent PCI.

Plaque increase may be an important contributor to late restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty

There is considerable controversy over the mechanism of restenosis after percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTCA). Vessel remodeling and plaque increase are among the possible contributors but angiography is methodologically limited since it can not differentiate these different mechanisms. For evaluating the contribution of vessel and plaque changes after PTCA, we analyzed serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies in 59 lesions. IVUS study (3.5 F, 20 MHz catheter, Boston Scientific Co,; Hewlett Packard console) was performed immediately after PTCA (POST), and at follow up (FU, 6±1 months). At follow up, 40 lesions (Group Ⅰ) did not show restenosis and 19 (32.2%) lesions (Group Ⅱ) developed restenosis (area Department of Cardiology, University of Essen, Essen, Germany (Liu FQ, Ge JB, Baumgart D, Grge G, Haude M and Erbel R) stenosis >50%). Cross sectional vessel area (VA, mm 2), plaque area (PA, mm 2), and percent area stenosis (A%) were measured. [BHDFG1*2,WK3,WK5,WK11,WK11W]GROUP Ⅰ (±s)GROUP Ⅱ (±s) [BHDZ,WK3ZQ,WK5ZQ,WK11,WK11ZQ2W]VAPOST18.1±4.919.1±5.6FU17.7±4.618.9±6.2PAPOST9.9±3.212.0±4.7 *FU10.2±3.415.4±5.0 * A%POST55.6±7.568.4±6.3 *FU58.4±8.781.6±3.4 * * P <0.05, Group I vs Group II. In summary, plaque increase contributed significantly to late restenosis. This may be partly due to “recovery” of the plaque from redistribution (induced by balloon compression) and/or partly due to intimal proliferation. Greater residual plaque burden was also related to higher possibility of rstenosis.

Heart failure after myocardial infarction in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention:Mechanisms,incidence and identification of patients at risk

Myocardial infarction(MI) remains the most common cause of heart failure(HF) worldwide. For almost 50 years HF has been recognised as a determinant ofadverse prognosis after MI, but efforts to promote myocardial repair have failed to translate into clinical therapies. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI) has driven improved early survival after MI, but its impact on the incidence of downstream HF is debated. The effects of PPCI are confounded by the changing epidemiology of MI and HF, with an ageing patient demographic, an increasing proportion of non-STelevation myocardial infarction, and the recognition of HF with preserved ejection fraction. Herein we review the mechanisms of HF after MI and discuss contemporary data on its incidence and outcomes. We review current and emerging strategies for early detection of patients at risk of HF after MI, with a view to identification of patient cohorts for novel therapeutic agents.

Cutting-balloon angioplasty before drug-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions

Background Severely calcified coronary lesions respond poorly to balloon angioplasty, resulting in incomplete and asymmetrical stent expansion. Therefore, adequate plaque modification prior to drug-eluting stent （DES） implantation is the key for calcified lesion treat- ment. This study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty for severely calcified coronary lesions. Methods Ninety-two consecutive patients with severely calcified lesions （defined as calcium arc 〉 180% calcium length ratio 〉 0.5） treated with bal- loon dilatation before DES implantation were randomly divided into two groups based on the balloon type： 45 patients in the conventional balloon angioplasty （BA） group and 47 patients in the cutting balloon angioplasty （CB） group. Seven cases in BA group did not satisfactorily achieve dilatation and were transferred into the CB group. Intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） was performed before balloon dilatation and after stent implantation to obtain qualitative and quantitative lesion characteristics and evaluate the stent, including minimum lumen cross-sectional area （CSA）, calcified arc and length, minimum stent CSA, stent apposition, stent symmetry, stent expansion, vessel dissection, and branch vessel jail. In-hospital, 1-month, and 6-month major adverse cardiac events （MACE） were reported. Results There were no statistical differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups, including calcium arc （222.2° ± 22.2° vs. 235.0° ± 22.1 °, p=0.570）, calcium length ratio （0.67 ± 0.06 vs. 0.77± 0.05, P = 0.130）, and minimum lumen CSA before PCI （2.59 ±0.08 mm2 vs. 2.52 ± 0.08 mm2, P = 0.550）. After stent implantation, the final minimum stent CSA （6.26 ± 0.40 mm2 vs. 5.03 ± 0.33 mm2; P = 0.031） and acute lumen gain （3.74 ±0.38 mm2 w. 2.44 ± 0.29 mm2, P = 0.015） were significantly larger ila the CB group than that of the BA group. There were not statis tically differences in stent expansion, stent symmetry, incomplete stent apposition, vessel dissection and branch vessel jail between two groups. The 30-day and 6-month MACE rates were also not different. Conclusions Cutting balloon angioplasty before DES implantation in severely calcified lesions appears to be more efficacies including significantly larger final stent CSA and larger acute lumen gain, without increasing complications during operations and the MACE rate in 6-month.

Successful opening in-stent chronic total occlusion lesion of coronary artery by excimer laser coronary angioplasty

In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), chronic total occlusion (CTO) coronary artery disease still remains difficult to treat. One of the reasons for the failure is the hard of the CTO lesions that balloon is difficult to pass through or expand. Previous methods to deal with CTO lesions that cannot be passed by balloon, include selecting reinforced catheter (such as 5 in 6 guiding catheter, Guidzilla catheter, or Tornus microcatheter), guidewire extrusion or rotary grinding technology. In recent years, excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) has been gradually applied to CTO lesions. Using inert halide as the laser medium, ELCA emits a 308 nm high-intensity unidirectional light wave with absorption depth of only 50 μmL, resulting in less thermal effect and less damage to non-target lesions. In this paper, we will describe a successful PCI case of an in-stent CTO lesion using ELCA with long term coronary angiography follow-up.